Method and apparatus for placing ID tags in molded articles
First Claim
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1. A method of securing a product identification tag to a heat formed article;
- said method comprising removing a product identification tag form a source of tags;
moving said removed tag to a position adjacent to a mold component;
moving a heat formable material to a position adjacent the positioned tag and mold component;
heating the heat formable material to a temperature to permit heat forming of the material, but below its melting temperature;
moving the heated material into contact with the mold component;
forming the heat formable material to conform generally to the shape of a portion of the mold component and over a portion of the tag; and
attaching the removed tag to the heated material during the forming of the material.
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Abstract
A thermoforming apparatus and method are provided. An identification tag such as a radio frequency identification tag is provided for molding into or attaching to a thermoformed article during the thermoforming process. The tag may be attached to the article by mechanical interlocking and/or a heat sensitive adhesive. The identification tag is applied to the article while the article is being formed in the thermoforming mold.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of securing a product identification tag to a heat formed article;
- said method comprising
removing a product identification tag form a source of tags;
moving said removed tag to a position adjacent to a mold component;
moving a heat formable material to a position adjacent the positioned tag and mold component;
heating the heat formable material to a temperature to permit heat forming of the material, but below its melting temperature;
moving the heated material into contact with the mold component;
forming the heat formable material to conform generally to the shape of a portion of the mold component and over a portion of the tag; and
attaching the removed tag to the heated material during the forming of the material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- said method comprising
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10. An apparatus for forming a molded article with an attached identification tag, said apparatus including:
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at least one mold component;
a feed device adapted to selectively feed heat formable material to a position adjacent the mold component;
a heater adapted to heat thermoformable material to a temperature sufficient for heat forming;
a force applying device associated with the mold component and operable to apply force to thermoformable material and conform the material generally to at least a portion of the mold component; and
a transport mechanism associated with the mold and operable to move an identification tag from a source to a position adjacent an exposed surface of the mold component for attachment to material formed by the mold component. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification